EP0912053A1 - Multichannel digital television system - Google Patents

Multichannel digital television system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0912053A1
EP0912053A1 EP97402532A EP97402532A EP0912053A1 EP 0912053 A1 EP0912053 A1 EP 0912053A1 EP 97402532 A EP97402532 A EP 97402532A EP 97402532 A EP97402532 A EP 97402532A EP 0912053 A1 EP0912053 A1 EP 0912053A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
decoder
event
television system
digital television
event message
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP97402532A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Guillaume De Saint Marc
Daniel Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canal Plus SA
Original Assignee
Canal Plus SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canal Plus SA filed Critical Canal Plus SA
Priority to EP97402532A priority Critical patent/EP0912053A1/en
Priority to JP2000518496A priority patent/JP4152585B2/ja
Priority to ES98945474T priority patent/ES2222607T3/es
Priority to AT98945474T priority patent/ATE268532T1/de
Priority to RU2000112872/09A priority patent/RU2225076C2/ru
Priority to AU92778/98A priority patent/AU756883B2/en
Priority to PCT/IB1998/001581 priority patent/WO1999022514A1/en
Priority to IDW20000903A priority patent/ID24186A/id
Priority to CA002304497A priority patent/CA2304497C/en
Priority to CNB988105195A priority patent/CN1192613C/zh
Priority to IL13576098A priority patent/IL135760A0/xx
Priority to KR1020007004372A priority patent/KR100545573B1/ko
Priority to BR9813269-5A priority patent/BR9813269A/pt
Priority to PL98340043A priority patent/PL188864B1/pl
Priority to CNB2004100941745A priority patent/CN100551051C/zh
Priority to TR2000/01060T priority patent/TR200001060T2/xx
Priority to HU0100148A priority patent/HU229543B1/hu
Priority to DE69824307T priority patent/DE69824307T2/de
Priority to EP98945474A priority patent/EP1025694B1/en
Priority to ZA989222A priority patent/ZA989222B/xx
Publication of EP0912053A1 publication Critical patent/EP0912053A1/en
Priority to NO20002083A priority patent/NO324620B1/no
Priority to HR20000228A priority patent/HRP20000228A2/hr
Priority to US09/553,667 priority patent/US6839901B1/en
Priority to HK00105745A priority patent/HK1026553A1/xx
Priority to JP2008136605A priority patent/JP4822459B2/ja
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/08—Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band, e.g. by time division
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/235—Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/236—Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
    • H04N21/23614—Multiplexing of additional data and video streams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/25—Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication, learning user preferences for recommending movies
    • H04N21/262—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists
    • H04N21/2625—Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission, generating play-lists for delaying content or additional data distribution, e.g. because of an extended sport event
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/434—Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams, extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
    • H04N21/4348—Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/435—Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a digital television system including a transmission means for transmitting audiovisual information in a digital datastream on a plurality of channels.
  • Digital television systems are becoming increasing established, notably in the field of pay TV systems.
  • Encrypted or scrambled audiovisual information is sent, usually by a satellite or satellite/cable link, to a number of subscribers, each possessing a decoder or receiver/decoder capable of descrambling the transmitted program for subsequent viewing.
  • Terrestrial digital broadcast systems are also known. Recent systems have also used the broadcast link to transmit other data, in addition to or as well as audiovisual data, such as computer programs or interactive applications to the decoder or to a connected PC.
  • the system may also include, for example, a pay-per-view function enabling a subscriber to pay for a particular film, sporting event etc.
  • one service that is proving increasingly popular is the simultaneous transmission of the same sporting event as viewed from a number of different camera angles.
  • a number of matches in the same cup may be broadcast simultaneously the same evening on different channels.
  • the subscriber may choose to pay for one of the matches broadcast on one channel, all of the matches that evening, all the matches in the tournament over the next few weeks etc.
  • Some stations provide, for example, a menu or home channel where the viewer can look at what is currently playing on all the channels, each channel being displayed in a small section in a grill displayed on the television screen. Where a large number of channels are displayed, however, it can be difficult for a viewer to adequately discern what is happening on any one channel. For these reasons, this solution is not particularly suitable for simultaneous live broadcasts on more than a few channels.
  • a digital television system including a transmission means for transmitting digital audiovisual information on a plurality of channels characterised in further comprising a means for introducing in real time an event message into the datastream on one or more channels, the event message including information regarding the occurrence of an event and the channel on which the event has occurred.
  • the event message can be used to indicate the occurrence of a goal on one of the channels, as well as providing an indication of the channel on which this has occurred.
  • the event message can be generated manually at the transmission centre by an operator watching all the matches simultaneously.
  • this information can be treated by an application within the decoder in a number of ways to facilitate channel selection for a viewer and so as to enable the viewer to change to a channel where an event has occurred.
  • the transmission means further includes a delay device for introducing a predetermined delay into the transmission time of the audiovisual information broadcast on each of the channels.
  • the digital audiovisual information can be temporarily stored on a disk or in a RAM type memory device for 30 seconds or so before being transmitted.
  • Other less convenient delay means include analogue tape loops for delaying analogue audiovisual signals before digital conversion is carried out etc.
  • the advantage of this embodiment is that, for the viewer, the event indicating signal (which is broadcast without a delay) will arrive before the event in question. Thus, changing channels in response to this signal will mean that viewer will see both the build-up to the event and the event itself. Furthermore, the delay will be effectively invisible to the viewer, who will have the sensation of watching the match "live”.
  • the system may be set up without a delay between the event signal and the audiovisual data.
  • the viewer may change channels after the event, in time to catch the replay.
  • this solution is considerably less satisfactory for the viewer than the solution described above.
  • the means for introducing an event message may comprise a computer, such as a simple PC or a combination client/server device, adapted to generate an event message in respond to a command by an operator, the event message being sent, for example, via a data injector to a multiplexer receiving audiovisual information for each channel as well as the event message.
  • a computer such as a simple PC or a combination client/server device, adapted to generate an event message in respond to a command by an operator, the event message being sent, for example, via a data injector to a multiplexer receiving audiovisual information for each channel as well as the event message.
  • the computer may be adapted to send an event message in the form of a predetermined MPEG section to the multiplexer.
  • MPEG is a well-known standard developed for the field of digital broadcasting in which data is arranged into a series of tables, each table including a packet ID etc.
  • the term includes all variants, modifications or developments of the basic MPEG format such as MPEG-2 and, notably the MPEG-2 short format.
  • the digital television system further comprises a decoder adapted to display an icon on the screen upon reception of an event message to indicate the occurrence of an event.
  • a decoder adapted to display an icon on the screen upon reception of an event message to indicate the occurrence of an event.
  • the viewer may change channels, for example, by means of a remote control associated with the decoder.
  • the viewer may pre-program the decoder to automatically change channels to a channel where a goal has occurred, for example.
  • the decoder is preferably adapted to automatically change to the channel in question following a "yes/no" response by the viewer to the icon.
  • the icon does not even need to display the channel information, but only the fact that an event has occurred. If the viewer indicates "yes” or "OK” by the decoder changes channel.
  • the "yes" response may correspond to a signal from a remote control indicating that any of the buttons or a predetermined button of the remote control has been depressed. If the viewer indicates "no", for example, by making no response, the decoder remains tuned to the present channel.
  • the decoder is adapted to display a further icon after a change of channel by the viewer in response to the first displayed icon, eg to ask if the viewer wishes to return to the first channel that he was watching.
  • This predetermined time will naturally depend on the time delay (if any) introduced in the transmission stream of the audiovisual data. For example, where a delay of 30 seconds is introduced in the transmission, the flagged event will follow approximately 30 seconds after the event signal. If the application has received a change channel command, the application will ask the viewer if he wants to change channel 45 seconds or so later, i.e. after the event has been shown. The application may use either the change channel message or the arrival of the event message as the starting point for the delay.
  • conventional digital decoders are combination software and hardware devices and the increased functionality may be added by programming the decoder with a software application.
  • the application is downloaded in the decoder by the transmission means.
  • the application can be included in the transmitted digital data stream, the viewer being asked at that time if he wishes to download the application. If he agrees, the application will remain in the decoder and will function for at least the duration of the match. If not, the decoder will not download the application.
  • the transmission means further includes encryption means for encrypting transmitted digital data, including the transmitted audiovisual data and the transmitted event message, the decoder comprising decryption means adapted to decrypt the broadcast digital data prior to viewing and processing of the event message.
  • scrambled data may be transmitted together with a control word for descrambling of the data, the control word itself being encrypted by a so-called exploitation key and transmitted in encrypted form.
  • the decoder possesses an equivalent of the exploitation key to decrypt the control word and descramble the data.
  • Other security measures known generally from pay TV systems may equally be used in the present system to restrict access.
  • the present invention also extends to a decoder for use in a digital television system as described above, in particular a decoder equipped with an application adapted to generate an icon on the screen to indicate the reception of an event message.
  • the present invention equally extends to a method for digitally transmitting and receiving audiovisual information in a digital datastream on a plurality of channels.
  • ⁇ receiver/decoders ⁇ and ⁇ decoders ⁇ it will be understood that the present invention applies equally to embodiments having a receiver integrated with the decoder as to a decoder unit functioning in combination with a physically separate receiver.
  • ⁇ digital television system ⁇ refers to any satellite, terrestrial, cable etc digital broadcast system.
  • FIG. 1 An overview of a digital television system 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1.
  • the invention includes a mostly conventional digital television system 2 that uses the known MPEG-2 compression system to transmit compressed digital signals.
  • MPEG-2 compressor 3 in a broadcast centre receives a digital signal stream (typically a stream of video signals).
  • the compressor 3 is connected to a multiplexer and scrambler 4 by linkage 5.
  • the multiplexer 4 receives a plurality of further input signals, assembles one or more transport streams and transmits compressed digital signals to a transmitter 6 of the broadcast centre via linkage 7, which can of course take a wide variety of forms including telecommunications links.
  • the transmitter 6 transmits electromagnetic signals via uplink 8 towards a satellite transponder 9, where they are electronically processed and broadcast via notional downlink 10 to earth receiver 12, conventionally in the form of a dish owned or rented by the end user.
  • the signals received by receiver 12 are transmitted to an integrated receiver/decoder 13 owned or rented by the end user and connected to the end user's television set 14.
  • the receiver/decoder 13 decodes the compressed MPEG-2 signal into a television signal for the television set 14.
  • the multiplexer 4 handles audio and video information received from a number of parallel sources and interacts with the transmitter 6 to broadcast the information along a corresponding number of channels.
  • messages or applications or any other sort of digital data may be introduced in some or all of these channels interlaced with the transmitted digital audio and video information.
  • a conditional access system 15 is connected to the multiplexer 4 and the receiver/decoder 13, and is located partly in the broadcast centre and partly in the decoder. It enables the end user to access digital television broadcasts from one or more broadcast suppliers.
  • a smartcard capable of deciphering messages relating to commercial offers (that is, one or several television programmes sold by the broadcast supplier), can be inserted into the receiver/decoder 13. Using the decoder 13 and smartcard, the end user may purchase commercial offers in either a subscription mode or a pay-per-view mode.
  • programmes transmitted by the system are scrambled at the multiplexer 4, the conditions and encryption keys applied to a given transmission being determined by the access control system 15.
  • Transmission of scrambled data in this way is well-known in the field of pay TV systems.
  • scrambled data is transmitted together with a control word for descrambling of the data, the control word itself being encrypted by a so-called exploitation key and transmitted in encrypted form.
  • the scrambled data and encrypted control word are then received by the decoder 13 having access to an equivalent of the exploitation key stored on a smart card inserted in the decoder to decrypt the encrypted control word and thereafter descramble the transmitted data.
  • a paid-up subscriber will receive, for example, in a broadcast monthly ECM (Entitlement Control Message) the exploitation key necessary to decrypt the encrypted control word so as to permit viewing of the transmission.
  • ECM Entitlement Control Message
  • An interactive system 16 also connected to the multiplexer 4 and the receiver/decoder 13 and again located partly in the broadcast centre and partly in the decoder, enables the end user to interact with various applications via a modem back channel 17.
  • the modem back channel may also be used for communications used in the conditional access system 15.
  • An interactive system may be used, for example, to enable the viewer to communicate immediately with the transmission centre to demand authorisation to watch a particular event, download an application etc.
  • the decoder 13 is equipped with several interfaces for receiving and transmitting data, in particular an MPEG tuner and demultiplexer 20 for receiving broadcast MPEG transmissions, a serial interface 23, a parallel interface 24, and a modem 25 for sending and receiving data via the modem channel 17.
  • the decoder also includes a first and second smart card reader 26 and 27, the first reader 26 for accepting a subscription smart card containing decryption keys associated with the system and the second reader 27 for accepting bank cards or other specialised cards.
  • the decoder also includes a receiver 28 for receiving infra-red control signals from a handset remote control 29 and a Peritel output 30 for sending audiovisual signals to the television 14 connected to the decoder.
  • the software architecture of the control unit may correspond to that used in a known decoder and will not be described here in any detail. It may be based, for example, on a virtual machine interacting via an interface layer with a lower level operating system implemented in the hardware components of the decoder. In terms of the hardware architecture, the decoder will be equipped with a processor, memory elements such as ROM, RAM, FLASH memory etc. as in known decoders.
  • the control unit 40 may be adapted to run a number of applications defining the functionality of the decoder.
  • An application introduced into the decoder corresponds to a section of code introduced into the machine that permits the control, for example, of higher level functions of the machine.
  • Typical applications may include the generation of a graphic sequence on the screen of the television display in response to a command from the remote control, or the emission of a message via the modem 5 to the server associated with the digital broadcast system.
  • an application according to the present embodiment of the invention enables the generation of an icon in response to a event message received in the transmitted MPEG flow, together with a channel change operation in dependence on signals received via the remote control 29.
  • Applications may be resident applications stored in the ROM or FLASH of the decoder or applications broadcast and downloaded via the MPEG interface 20 of the decoder or, indeed, any other interface of the decoder such as the serial port 23, a smart card reader 27 etc.
  • Applications can include program guide applications, games, interactive services, teleshopping applications, as well as initiating applications to enable the decoder to be immediately operational upon start-up and applications for configuring the decoder.
  • Applications are stored in memory locations in the decoder and represented as resource files comprising graphic object description files, unit files, variables block files, instruction sequence files, application files, data files etc. Applications downloaded into the decoder may equally be retransmitted from the decoder to a PC connected to the decoder.
  • modules are divided into modules, each module corresponding to one or more MPEG tables.
  • Each MPEG table may be divided into a number of sections.
  • modules are also split into tables and sections, the size of the section depending on the channel used.
  • modules are transported in the form of data packets within respective types of data stream, for example, the video data stream, the audio data stream, a text data stream.
  • each packet is preceded by a Packet Identifier (PID) of 13 bits, one PID for every packet transported in the MPEG stream.
  • PID Packet Identifier
  • a programme map table (PMT) contains a list of the different streams and defines the content of each stream according to the respective PID.
  • a PID may alert the device to the presence of applications in the data stream, the PID being identified by the PMT table.
  • digital audio and video information for a number of channels 41 passes via a digital delay device 48 to a multiplexer 4 for subsequent transmission.
  • a time delay of approximately 30 seconds in the transmission of the audiovisual information is introduced. This may be carried out, for example, by simply stocking the digital signals on a server hard disc or the like before transmission to the multiplexer.
  • the digital audiovisual signals may be compressed and multiplexed in a first stage of multiplexage, before being passed to a digital delay. After the delay, the signal passes to a second multiplexer for multiplexing with other data, including an event message (see below).
  • This has the advantage of reducing the amount of information stored on the disk, but may increase the risks of error in the signal.
  • the digital auidovisual signals are delayed and then passed directly to the multiplexer 4.
  • the MPEG compression of the signal is carried out by the multiplexer 4 itself, rather than a separate compression unit, as shown in Figure 1.
  • the video and sound data for each match is broadcast on a separate channel by the multiplexer and transmitter arrangement.
  • a "channel" may be defined by a frequency channel, or as is usually the case, simply by a logical definition in the data sent, such as the DVB co-ordinates of the channel.
  • An operator 42 located at the broadcast centre watches all the matches simultaneously as displayed on a bank of monitors 43.
  • the operator is provided with a dedicated PC or computer 44 equipped with an application adapted to generate an event message that may be transmitted via a one-shot injection unit 45 and the multiplexer 4 into the MPEG flow transmitted by the transmitter 6.
  • the injection unit 45 is a standard piece of equipment used to ensure synchronism of injected data with the multiplexer.
  • the operator enters in real time into the computer 44 (i) the information that a goal event has occurred and (ii) on which channel the goal event has occurred.
  • the computer 44 generates an MPEG section containing this information in a form adapted to be read by an application based in the decoder 13. This section is then multiplexed into the data stream associated with each of the channels by the multiplexer 4.
  • a signalled event message is introduced immediately into the transmitted data stream whilst the video and sound data are introduced some 30s later.
  • the injection and multiplexing of the event message in the data stream may introduce a small delay, but this is insignificant in comparison with the delay introduced to the video and audio information.
  • the decoder is equipped with an application adapted to receive and interpret the arrival of an event message.
  • This application may be included in the decoder as manufactured. However, in view of the need to conserve memory space in the decoder, this application is preferably transmitted to the decoder in the same manner as other decoder applications, that is, via the MPEG transmission route.
  • the application may be introduced via an injection device 46 to the multiplexer, for example before the match starts, either automatically or at the request of the viewer.
  • the injection device 46 is similar to the injection device 45, with the difference that the application is sent in a continual cycle to the multiplexer for transmission, whilst the event message is a one-off transmission.
  • step 50 the viewer is watching a match A on one of the transmitted channels.
  • step 51 an event message is received informing the decoder of a goal event occurring on the channel associated with match B.
  • this event message will arrive some 30 seconds or so before the goal is shown on the associated channel.
  • emission of the event message will depend on the reflexes of the operator manning the observation point and the event message may arrive 25 seconds or so before the event.
  • the operator will have to decide which of the goals represents the most interest to the viewing public and, again, this may slightly reduce the time of advance of the event message in comparison with the event itself.
  • the application In response to the arrival of an event message indicating a goal event on a channel other than that being watched at that moment, the application displays for a period of 5 seconds or so an icon on the television screen informing the viewer of the imminence of a goal at step 52.
  • the "OK" icon will be removed from the screen upon change of channel by the viewer or after the end of the 5 seconds period if the viewer has not changed channel.
  • the icon may indicate the channel or the match in which the goal occurred to allow the viewer to decide if he wants to watch the goal. In its simplest embodiment, however, the icon may just indicate that a goal has occurred, e.g. by an "OK" icon being displayed.
  • the "yes" command may correspond, for example, to the reception by the decoder of a signal from the remote control associated with the decoder indicating that any of the buttons or a specific button of the remote control (e.g. an "OK" button) has been depressed.
  • the decoder will stay tuned to match A.
  • the "no" command can, for example, simply correspond to the absence of a command from the remote control in the 5 second following the display of the icon at step 52.
  • the decoder can be programmed by the application in the opposite sense, i.e. the application will automatically change to the channel where the goal has occurred unless an instruction is received from the remote control in the 5 seconds which follow the display of the icon on the screen.
  • the application can either display the same or another icon indicating to the viewer the presence of a goal on that channel or may display a warning icon ("CONFIRM CHANGE") in the event that the viewer attempts to channel during the delay before the event arrives.
  • CONFIRM CHANGE a warning icon
  • the application can be arranged to display a second icon at step 56 asking the viewer if he wants to change back to the original channel A.
  • a further predetermined time e.g. 45 seconds or so after the change of channel
  • the application can be arranged to display a second icon at step 56 asking the viewer if he wants to change back to the original channel A.
  • This time may be measured starting from the receipt of the original command to change channel, or starting from the reception of the event message, with a proviso not to display the message if the viewer has remained with match A.
  • the icon asking the viewer if he wishes to return to the original match A may simply be an icon "OK” or the like.
  • this will be interpreted as a "yes” command 57 and the decoder will return to match A.
  • no "OK" signal is received within 5 seconds after the display of this icon the decoder will remain tuned to the match B.
  • Modifications of the system may be envisaged, for example, to enable the application to receive and process a plurality of messages arriving at the same time or within the time frame of operations between steps 50 and 56 described above.
  • the application may indicate the arrival of a new goal event after the first change of channel so as to allow the viewer to again change channel if he wishes.
  • it may be possible to display two or more event messages simultaneously indicating a first goal event on channel X for match C, a second goal event on channel Y for match D etc.
EP97402532A 1997-10-24 1997-10-24 Multichannel digital television system Withdrawn EP0912053A1 (en)

Priority Applications (25)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP97402532A EP0912053A1 (en) 1997-10-24 1997-10-24 Multichannel digital television system
PL98340043A PL188864B1 (pl) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Sposób transmisji cyfrowej informacji telewizyjnej, cyfrowy system telewizyjny i dekoder w cyfrowymsystemie telewizyjnym
CNB2004100941745A CN100551051C (zh) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 用于数字电视系统中的解码器
ES98945474T ES2222607T3 (es) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Sistema de television digital multicanal.
TR2000/01060T TR200001060T2 (tr) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Çok kanallı dijital televizyon sistemi
AU92778/98A AU756883B2 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Multichannel digital television system
PCT/IB1998/001581 WO1999022514A1 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Multichannel digital television system
IDW20000903A ID24186A (id) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Sistem televisi digital multi saluran
CA002304497A CA2304497C (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Multichannel digital television system
CNB988105195A CN1192613C (zh) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 在多频道上发射数字视听信息的数字电视系统和方法
IL13576098A IL135760A0 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Multichannel digital television system
KR1020007004372A KR100545573B1 (ko) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 다채널 디지털 텔레비젼 시스템
BR9813269-5A BR9813269A (pt) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Sistema de televisão digital multicanal
JP2000518496A JP4152585B2 (ja) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 多重チャネル・デジタル・テレビ・システム
AT98945474T ATE268532T1 (de) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Mehrkanaliges digitalfernsehsystem
RU2000112872/09A RU2225076C2 (ru) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Многоканальная система цифрового телевидения
HU0100148A HU229543B1 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Digital television system, decoder for this system, further method of broadcasting digital audiodisual information
DE69824307T DE69824307T2 (de) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Mehrkanaliges digitalfernsehsystem
EP98945474A EP1025694B1 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-01 Multichannel digital television system
ZA989222A ZA989222B (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-09 Multichannel digital television system
NO20002083A NO324620B1 (no) 1997-10-24 2000-04-19 Digitalt fjernsynssystem, dekoder for bruk i dette og fremgangsmate ved overforing av digital audiovisuell informasjon.
HR20000228A HRP20000228A2 (en) 1997-10-24 2000-04-19 Multichannel digital television system
US09/553,667 US6839901B1 (en) 1997-10-24 2000-04-20 Multichannel digital television system
HK00105745A HK1026553A1 (en) 1997-10-24 2000-09-12 Multichannel digital television system.
JP2008136605A JP4822459B2 (ja) 1997-10-24 2008-05-26 多重チャンネル・デジタル・テレビ・システム

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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EP97402532A EP0912053A1 (en) 1997-10-24 1997-10-24 Multichannel digital television system

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EP (2) EP0912053A1 (ja)
JP (2) JP4152585B2 (ja)
KR (1) KR100545573B1 (ja)
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AT (1) ATE268532T1 (ja)
AU (1) AU756883B2 (ja)
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CA (1) CA2304497C (ja)
DE (1) DE69824307T2 (ja)
ES (1) ES2222607T3 (ja)
HK (1) HK1026553A1 (ja)
HR (1) HRP20000228A2 (ja)
HU (1) HU229543B1 (ja)
ID (1) ID24186A (ja)
IL (1) IL135760A0 (ja)
NO (1) NO324620B1 (ja)
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US9059810B2 (en) * 1999-05-20 2015-06-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and device for controlling the point of time of the operation of an application in digital data broadcasting
US20100180317A1 (en) * 1999-05-20 2010-07-15 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and device for controlling the point of time of the operation of an application in digital data broadcasting
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US7114169B1 (en) * 2000-03-31 2006-09-26 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Geographically specific signal communications receiver
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US7506349B2 (en) 2004-03-29 2009-03-17 Panasonic Corporation Method and apparatus for processing television system messages received when a device is in a low power mode
WO2007107660A1 (fr) * 2006-03-22 2007-09-27 France Telecom Systeme et procede de gestion d'une pluralite de programmes audiovisuels dans un reseau de telecommunication

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ZA989222B (en) 1999-04-15
JP4152585B2 (ja) 2008-09-17
DE69824307D1 (de) 2004-07-08
EP1025694B1 (en) 2004-06-02
KR20010031364A (ko) 2001-04-16
ATE268532T1 (de) 2004-06-15
PL340043A1 (en) 2001-01-15
CA2304497A1 (en) 1999-05-06
CA2304497C (en) 2006-04-04
TR200001060T2 (tr) 2000-07-21
RU2225076C2 (ru) 2004-02-27
HUP0100148A2 (hu) 2001-05-28
HUP0100148A3 (en) 2004-04-28
IL135760A0 (en) 2001-05-20
HU229543B1 (en) 2014-01-28
AU756883B2 (en) 2003-01-23
NO20002083D0 (no) 2000-04-19
CN100551051C (zh) 2009-10-14
HK1026553A1 (en) 2000-12-15
JP2008211848A (ja) 2008-09-11
CN1277781A (zh) 2000-12-20
JP4822459B2 (ja) 2011-11-24
ES2222607T3 (es) 2005-02-01
HRP20000228A2 (en) 2000-12-31
PL188864B1 (pl) 2005-05-31
ID24186A (id) 2000-07-13
BR9813269A (pt) 2000-08-22
WO1999022514A1 (en) 1999-05-06
AU9277898A (en) 1999-05-17
EP1025694A1 (en) 2000-08-09
KR100545573B1 (ko) 2006-01-24
DE69824307T2 (de) 2005-08-04
JP2001522173A (ja) 2001-11-13
NO20002083L (no) 2000-06-23
CN1633178A (zh) 2005-06-29
US6839901B1 (en) 2005-01-04
NO324620B1 (no) 2007-11-26
CN1192613C (zh) 2005-03-09

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